Brother, teachers credit Louisville upbringing for actress's ris - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports

Brother, teachers credit Louisville upbringing for actress's rise to fame

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By Scott Adkins - bio | email
Jennifer Lawrence with her parents before the People's Choice Awards. (Source: Karen Lawrence) Jennifer Lawrence with her parents before the People's Choice Awards. (Source: Karen Lawrence)
Scott Adkins and Cindy Zumbiel looking over yearbooks. Scott Adkins and Cindy Zumbiel looking over yearbooks.
Ben Lawrence Ben Lawrence

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Tally another Oscar nomination for a Louisville native succeeding in Hollywood.  Jennifer Lawrence, 22, earned a second Academy Award nod for Actress in a Leading Role for her latest film, Silver Linings Playbook.

The red carpet starlet and leading actress recently picked up two trophies at the People's Choice Awards and is nominated for a Golden Globe.  She was also nominated for an Oscar as Best Actress in 2010's Winter's Bone.

It's been a whirlwind of fame for the Louisville lady who, just 10 years ago, was a wide-eyed Kammerer Middle School student.

"She's not egotistical about it.  She just goes with it and, she's herself.  Just who she always was," Cindy Zumbiel said.  Lawrence was in Zumbiel's 6th grade Language Arts class.

Teachers credit Lawrence's role in The Hunger Games for creating an appetite for young readers who may not have picked up a book.

"Just being able to say, you know Jennifer Lawrence went to school here, made a lot of the students read that probably wouldn't have read before," Cindy Zumbiel said. 

Those who knew the middle schooler remember her ambition.  "When she was here she knew exactly what she wanted to do. She shared that with me when she was in 8th grade," Amanda Cornish said.  Cornish was Lawrence's 8th Grade Band teacher.

"Growing up in this town, in a normal setting, I think has really helped her prosper," her brother Ben Lawrence said. The proud big bro, 10 years her senior, is still surprised by her accolades. "It's incredible. Another Oscar nomination and she's only 22, but she hasn't become a partier in so-called ‘Young Hollywood' or wrapped up in herself. She doesn't really get into the red carpet even though she respects what the award shows stand for," Lawrence said.

Jennifer Lawrence is expected to attend the Golden Globes ceremony where she's nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in Musical or Comedy.  The show airs on January 13 at 8 p.m. on WAVE 3.

Copyright 2013 WAVE News. All rights reserved.

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